Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Hit-and-Run Accident: What Are Your Time Limits?

A hit-and-run accident leaves victims dealing not only with physical and emotional trauma but also with complex legal uncertainties—especially when the at-fault driver cannot be immediately identified. While every U.S. state allows victims of hit-and-runs to pursue compensation, the clock starts ticking quickly. Understanding your state’s statute of limitations and how time limits differ in hit-and-run cases is critical to protecting your legal rights.

Below is a comprehensive overview of how time limits apply in hit-and-run injury claims, exceptions that may apply, and why acting swiftly is essential—even if the driver is unknown.

سابق شوہر کے مرنے پر کرشمہ کپور کے بچوں کو اربوں ڈالر کی جائیداد سے کتنا کچھ ملے گا؟



بالی وُڈ اداکارہ کرشمہ کپور کے سابق شوہر اور معروف صنعتکار سنجے کپور کی اچانک موت نے سب کو حیرت میں ڈال دیا۔ لندن میں ایک پولو میچ کے دوران پیش آئے اس افسوسناک واقعے نے نہ صرف ان کی زندگی کا اختتام کیا بلکہ ان کے کروڑوں کی دولت کے وارثین کے بارے میں قیاس آرائیوں کو بھی جنم دے دیا ہے۔ بتایا جا رہا ہے کہ سنجے کپور کو کھیل کے دوران ایک شہد کی مکھی نگلنے کے بعد دل کا دورہ پڑا، جو جان لیوا ثابت ہوا۔
سنجے کپور آٹو پارٹس کی عالمی شہرت یافتہ کمپنی سونا کوم سٹار کے سربراہ تھے، جس کی مالیت ان کے انتقال کے وقت تقریباً ₹31,000 کروڑ تھی۔ ان کی ذاتی دولت کا تخمینہ ₹10,300 کروڑ (تقریباً 1.2 ارب ڈالر) لگایا گیا ہے۔
ان کے جانے کے بعد سب کی نظریں اس بات پر مرکوز ہیں کہ یہ بے پناہ دولت آخر کس کے حصے میں آئے گی؟ اگرچہ سنجے کے وصیت نامے کی تفصیلات عوامی سطح پر دستیاب نہیں ہیں، لیکن قریبی ذرائع کا کہنا ہے کہ ان کے تمام بچوں کو وراثت میں کچھ نہ کچھ حصہ دیا جائے گا۔
کرشمہ کپور سے ان کے دو بچے ہیں، 20 سالہ سمایرا اور 14 سالہ کیان۔ طلاق کے وقت سنجے نے ان بچوں کے لیے ₹14 کروڑ کے بانڈز رکھوائے تھے، جن سے ہر ماہ ₹10 لاکھ کی آمدنی بچوں کے اخراجات کے لیے فراہم کی جاتی ہے۔ بچوں کی مکمل تحویل کرشمہ کو ملی تھی، اور ممبئی میں موجود ایک قیمتی جائیداد بھی ان کے نام منتقل کی گئی تھی۔
دوسری طرف، سنجے کی دوسری بیوی پریا سچدیو سے ان کا ایک بیٹا ازاریئس ہے، جس کی عمر صرف 6 سال ہے۔ ازاریئس کے لیے کتنی وراثت چھوڑی گئی ہے، اس بارے میں فی الحال کوئی معلومات منظرِ عام پر نہیں آئیں۔
کمپنی کے مستقبل کے حوالے سے یہ اشارے مل رہے ہیں کہ اس کی باگ ڈور پریا سچدیو یا ان کے قریبی رشتہ دار سنبھال سکتے ہیں۔ اگرچہ رسمی اعلان ابھی پیچیدہ گتھیاں بھی چھوڑ دیں — جیسے وراثت کی تقسیم، خاندانی تعلقات اور کاروباری مستقبل۔ اب یہ دیکھنا باقی ہے کہ یہ امپائر کس کے ہاتھ میں جاتا ہے، اور سنجے کے بچے اس وراثت سے کس طرح مستفید ہوتے ہیں۔

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Key Legal Concept: Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is the legal deadline by which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your case will likely be dismissed—regardless of how strong your evidence is or how serious your injuries were.

In hit-and-run cases, the filing clock usually begins on the date of the accident—but there are exceptions.


Typical Time Limits by State

The standard personal injury statutes of limitations apply even in hit-and-run scenarios, unless modified by specific rules. Here’s a snapshot of some common state deadlines:

StatePersonal Injury Limit (Years)Hit-and-Run Exception?
California2 yearsDelay possible if suspect unknown
Texas2 yearsStrict unless tolling applies
Florida4 yearsGenerous timeline; no special extension
New York3 yearsNo special hit-and-run rule
Illinois2 yearsTime may be tolled for unknown driver
Georgia2 yearsStrict enforcement
Arizona2 yearsTolling applies if driver is unidentified
Washington3 yearsRegular statute applies
Michigan3 yearsUM claims have special notice requirements
Pennsylvania2 yearsUM claims often have tighter deadlines

Note: These are general timelines for lawsuits. If you’re filing a claim with your own insurance company under uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, policy deadlines may be much shorter—sometimes as little as 30 to 90 days to notify the insurer.


What If the Driver Was Never Identified?

Many hit-and-run cases involve unknown drivers. In such situations:

  • You may still file a claim under your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you carry it.
  • Some states toll (pause) the statute of limitations until the driver is identified or can be reasonably found.
  • Other states do not toll the statute—meaning you must file on time whether the driver is identified or not.

Because of this, your claim against the driver may remain viable if they are later identified, but your insurance claim may face strict notice requirements.


Uninsured Motorist (UM) Claims: Key Time Rules

If the driver is unknown, most victims rely on UM coverage. Even in states where UM is optional, it’s often the only way to recover damages after a hit-and-run.

However, this process is governed by contract law, not personal injury law—so your insurance policy may require notification within 30, 60, or 90 days, even if you haven’t healed or the police haven’t found the driver.

Failing to notify your insurer in time can invalidate your UM claim, even if you meet the state’s lawsuit deadline.


Exceptions and Extensions: When the Clock May Pause

  1. Delayed Discovery of Injury: Rare in car accidents, but could apply if a brain injury or internal injury wasn’t immediately apparent.
  2. Minor Victims: If the injured party is under 18, many states toll the statute until the victim turns 18—at which point the countdown begins.
  3. Incapacity: If the victim was incapacitated after the crash (e.g., coma), the statute may pause until they regain legal capacity.
  4. Unknown Defendant: In limited states (e.g., Arizona, Illinois), time limits may be tolled until the hit-and-run driver is identified.
  5. Fraud or Misrepresentation: If the at-fault driver hid their identity or vehicle to avoid liability, tolling might apply.

Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Hit-and-Run

  1. Call 911 Immediately – Ensure the incident is documented and emergency services are dispatched.
  2. File a Police Report – This is essential for both legal and insurance purposes, especially for UM claims.
  3. Document the Scene – Take photos, gather witness info, and note anything about the fleeing vehicle (make, model, color, license plate digits).
  4. Notify Your Insurer – Do not wait. Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll file a claim, inform them promptly to protect your rights.
  5. Seek Medical Care – Delaying treatment can hurt your health and your case.
  6. Consult an Attorney – Hit-and-run laws are complex, and delays can ruin a valid claim. Legal advice is crucial early on.

Filing a Lawsuit vs. Filing an Insurance Claim

ActionTime LimitNotes
Lawsuit against driver1–4 years (varies by state)Must identify and locate driver
UM insurance claim30–90 days (check policy)Much shorter deadlines; notify ASAP
Wrongful death claimOften 2 yearsClock starts at date of death

Bottom Line

If you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run crash, time is your greatest liability. Even though the at-fault driver may be unknown, you still have powerful legal tools—but only if you act before the deadlines close.

  • Report the crash and notify your insurer immediately.
  • Document every step.
  • Track the state and insurance-specific deadlines carefully.
  • Don’t wait for the driver to be found to start the claims process.

Legal windows close fast, and hit-and-run victims often don’t get a second chance. Acting early preserves not only your rights—but your shot at full compensation.